
I couldn't seem to get a sharp picture.
I thought to myself, maybe it is moving.
Is there such a thing as stillness?

Anyway, when I moved here, well, there was a bit of chaos, and I decided to just leave and left a lot behind, including my plants. I thought the house showing would be enhanced with a bit of greenery. And then I decided not to go back again to do the second round of the moving van thing. Too much sadness. So my plants got packed up in December and it was a very cold 3 hour trip and they froze. Some dead on arrival. Some died slowly in the next weeks.
I finally got the avocado pit to sprout. Grow.
They asked me if I wanted to cut this tree. I said no.
Yesterday my boy turned 46.



the tree seems to be whispering its own story. something about a crossroad creating a portal… u could pass thru that opening as part of an outdoor ceremony! it’s a striking sculpture. happy day to u and your boy!
It does seem like a gateway
Your beautiful!, colorful cloth has also found its home! Every time you look out and see it, it will be like getting a love letter. And, I’ll bet, mean so much. Draped as it is over the curving branches, it is a stunning story of some of your life. I know there’s more, Jude. It could be in a museum! Actually, it kind of is…….becoming an ode to nature, the strong story of your life, the natural world that we all are a part of, something beautiful and meaningfully made.
It’s a kind of diary, I need it right now
I love “The Tree.” Glad you said to keep it.
Speaking of birthdays: August is my reminder month of how fast the years go. My daughter was 61 and my son 55. I’m not keeping up with the tally on my age anymore. Just taking it day by day and being grateful.
Yeah, I keep forgetting how old I am…
That tree…what a gift for draping your cloths 💚
Hello little avocado plant 🫂
Our Boy is 32 on Sunday! HOW?!
Happy Happy Birthday to yours 💙
Yes, how??? 😂
It looks as if ‘Grow” has always been there hanging over the tree.
I’ve never had any success with avocado pits, I tried to let them sprout over a jar of water. Did you put the pit in a soil from the beginning? perhaps I’ll give that a try.
Yes, that cloth and that tree a defin friends.
I’ve sprouted them many ways,but yes,putting them in a pot with soil and keep them moist works best. It can takes weeks, but they will sprout. I did it your way once but the there was a little sprout already forming when I cut the avocado.
Thanks! I’m going to try the pot and soil method.
Happy birthday for your son!
Thanks!
Just when you think it won’t work, it sprouts! 😂
Moving is so hard and moving in sadness the hardest. 💔 I know about leaving things behind. Letting go to go forward.
Happy Birthday to your boy. 😉
It was hard but it helped me go.
Your in a new chapter of your life. Finding yourself and loving your grandsons.
the tree…X marks the spot.
That tree has personality. I would have to name it.
Incredible. I thought cloth might help
How right you are! thank you for your daily words, photos and creations. I enjoy your sharing your journey.
Happy birthday to you both! Love that tree that you saved.
It’s just so great, I needed a cloth hanging spot. Some open air rituals …ready.
I wish I could grow an avocado tree to fruition!
All the pits sprout in the compost pile ( and most likely expire in our first cold snap in Dec/Jan…
I have two indoor plants–a giant mother-in-law’s tongue and a tillandsia xerographica…everything else is outside becuz my cats will try to eat them ( they never bother the two mentioned).
Happy birthday to your boy! 🥳
Soul-o has never bothered my plants, except he tried to poop in one of the bigger pots when I forgot to clean the litter.
I’m glad you saved the tree; it’s a piece of art by itself. An avocado in our compost grew to about 10 feet before a hard frost got it.
My boy turned 62, retired, and moved to Columbia.
I hope you see him once in a while.
Jude, keeping the tree was right, it has so much to say and you likely speak ‘tree’. I hope that when I die my energy finds a tree. Be well.
I love it when trees reshape themselves.
Ah, birthdays. My boy turned 47 in July. Hard to believe! Time does fly when you are having fun.
Seriously…
Jude~ I remember us starting the avocados at the same time…yours grew and grew, while ours grew and then died pretty quickly. I’ll be curious to watch this one.
What a great tree to lend a trunk to you for quilt airing. I did not realize how much Grow has grown! Love that one so much.
Happy birthday to your boy. Mine is 45 on the 13th 🙂
It’s been a while since I tried, the othe got so big so fast.
I suppose this quilt will grow into this place…
I love your stories…
This was my son’s birthday month too.
Happy birthday to your son!
Lynda 💕
Thanks, I love yours too.
I was giving birth on labor day…😂
Dear Jude.
I’ve been following you almost from the start of your online journey.
I’m so sorry you felt sadness when you had to leave your last home.
I lost my dearest husband suddenly a while ago. Sadness sits heavy in our hearts. Like you, having creativity in our fingertips is a way of healing. Sending love. Jenny kahan. Xx
So sorry for your sadness. Yes, it’s all patchwork in perspective, I’ve learned to keep my needle threaded.
It’s all like breathing, isn’t it? In and out. Joy and sadness. Inspire and expire. The rhythm of life itself.
How beautifully said. ❤️
Yes, rocking with it.
Glad you kept the tree!
Perfect for your quilts.💙
My daughter’s birthday is next month turning 41.
Happy birthday to your son🎊
It’s a home to many critters too
Yes! 💚 Nature
I left most of my plants in FL when I had to move to NC almost 4 years ago. Because I didn’t know if they would be ok since it gets cold here and I had to move in with my mother who is now 96 and very possessive of HER house and HER space. She has plants, she doesn’t need mine inside the house. I did give them away to friends.
I left so much. I threw out bags and bags of fabric scraps because no one wanted them ( I tried) and my things had to be concentrated to fit here. I’m expanding. The older she gets, the less places she goes. Like she never goes in the garage anymore. My cutting table is in there and bins of fabric.
It’s so hard, but you have a whole place that is yours to make how you want to be comfortable. You’ll get there
Christine, What a story of giving and compassion and attempting understanding and balance…and grace for your mother. The challenge must be so real, so kudos to you. I still miss my own mama.
My last move, I donated bins of fabric and yarn to Project Linus, yet still way more than I need to go on. Be well.
I didn’t have a lot of time to try to get rid of things constructively. The house I had rented for 24 years was being sold and I had like two months to transfer my job at the time and pack etc. Prices had gone crazy where I was so I found I could not afford to live there.
My mother and I have never gotten along. She likes the proper rules of society. I am a walking disaster area, to her. She only agreed to this ( my kids’ suggestion) because she needs help and wants to stay in her house. So it’s weird. I miss seeing my kids and grands. So giving and compassion? Maybe not so much. I’m a 71 yr old (as of 9/8) rotten kid.
Christine…my sister took care of my dad his last few years and their relationship was rocky…it was the greatest gift of compassion I’ve ever witnessed firsthand. It’s “easy” to be with and care for someone who appreciates who you are and is grateful for your help. To do it when you feel like the rotten kid makes you anything but that. I’m glad you’re finding space within your mom’s home to call your own.
I grew an Avocado Tree once~~or rather, it grew itself in my compost bin. When I planted it in the same compost in a pot, it gave up the ghost. Go figure!
Your display tree is wonderful!!
They don’t like to be transplanted for some reason.
I had so many really big house plants. But with all the windows here, there is enough forest visible.
I’m settling in bit by bit
Avocados are interesting. I’ve learned so much growing mine (and killing two!). Talk about time… You never know what you will get when you are growing from a seed. It will make a nice indoor tree there as they can’t take the cold you get.
Great place to air your quilt! And 47!!?!?
Yeah, I just like the plant, never grew them outside, too cold indeed.
And I’ll be 75 before you know it…